Unsolicited Patient Complaints among Otolaryngologists.

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Unsolicited Patient Complaints among Otolaryngologists.

Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2019 Jan 15;:194599818823706

Authors: Nassiri AM, Pichert JW, Domenico HJ, Galloway MB, Cooper WO, Bennett ML

Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To analyze unsolicited patient complaints (UPCs) among otolaryngologists, identify risk factors for UPCs, and determine the impact of physician feedback on subsequent UPCs.
METHODS: This retrospective study reviewed UPCs associated with US otolaryngologists from 140 medical practices from 2014 to 2017. A subset of otolaryngologists with high UPCs received peer-comparative feedback and was monitored for changes.
RESULTS: The study included 29,778 physicians, of whom 548 were otolaryngologists. UPCs described concerns with treatment (45%), communication (19%), accessibility (18%), concern for patients and families (10%), and billing (8%). Twenty-nine (5.3%) otolaryngologists were associated with 848 of 3659 (23.2%) total UPCs. Male sex and graduation from a US medical school were statistically significantly associated with an increased number of UPCs ( P = .0070 and P = .0036, respectively). Twenty-nine otolaryngologists with UPCs at or above the 95th percentile received peer-comparative feedback. The intervention led to an overall decrease in the number of UPCs following intervention ( P = .049). Twenty otolaryngologists (69%) categorized as "responders" reduced the number of complaints an average of 45% in the first 2 years following intervention.
DISCUSSION: Physician demographic data can be used to identify otolaryngologists with a greater number of UPCs. Most commonly, UPCs expressed concern regarding treatment. Peer-delivered, comparative feedback can be effective in reducing UPCs in high-risk otolaryngologists.
IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Systematic monitoring and respectful sharing of peer-comparative patient complaint data offers an intervention associated with UPCs and concomitant malpractice risk reduction. Collegial feedback over time increases the response rate, but a small proportion of physicians will require directive interventions.

PMID: 30642235 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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